Eoin Colquhoun, Pronghorn Athletics
Lethbridge – After narrowly missing the Canada West playoffs a year ago, the Lethbridge Pronghorns got off on the right foot to start the 2017 season with a convincing 84-58 win over the visiting Brandon Bobcats.
"Tonight was a nice win over a very good Brandon team," said head coach Dave Adams. "We respect Brandon and with six fifth-year players we anticipate a major battle tomorrow night."
Zoe Dahl led all scorers with 18 points, while Katie Hankins came off the bench to chip in with 14 points. Making her much anticipated debut former Gonzaga Bulldog Kacie Bosch lived up to the billing, scoring eight points and adding five rebounds, four assists and four steals. She was a calming forcing in the Pronghorns back court.
For the Bobcats, Senior Keisha Cox scored a team high 15 points in the loss. Mikaela Stanton and Lauren Anderson each contributed seven points.
After a fairly even opening 10 minutes that had the Bobcats leading 19-17, the difference in the game came in the middle two quarters. The Pronghorns upped their defensive game which lead to strong transition chances at the other end of the court.
"We got a great team effort defensively which sparked our transition game," said Adams on the difference in tonight's game."
With a 24-16 second quarter, the Pronghorns took a 41-35 lead into half time. In the opening half, the Pronghorns were 45.5% percent from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. The Bobcats hit on 48.3% and where 5-for-8 from the free throw line.
Out of the break, the Pronghorns continued their strong defensive play and opened with a 16-1 run to build a 21 point lead, as the Bobcats only made one free throw five minutes into the third quarter.
When the dust settled at the end of the third quarter, the Pronghorns held the Bobcats to only nine third quarter points and held a 69-44 lead with one quarter to play.
The final quarter was a wash with Bobcats unable to get the deficit below 20 points at any point of the quarter and the Pronghorns cruised to the victory.
On the night, the Pronghorns shot the ball relatively well, hitting 48.5%, including nine three pointers. After only hitting for 29% from the field in the second half, the Bobcats finished the night shooting 38.3% and were only 50% from the charity strip, hitting 7 of 14.
The Pronghorns and Bobcats will hit the court again tomorrow night at the 1st Choice Savings Centre, tip-off is slated for 5:00pm. The game can also be caught live onwww.canadawest.tv.